Doctors and God Work Together

I've been reading "God's Created Power for Healing" and thought I'd share some of the authors thoughts with you.

This book is written for people that are struggling with their physical health and includes thoughts on spiritual healing. It isn't discounting the importance of visiting doctors for medical care or taking medicine, but they are stressing the importance of God's healing power to your spiritual body.


"Just as you would take medicine in your physical body to aid healing by physical means, so you must receive God's word concerning healing in your spirit for supernatural healing."

"God's word is supernatural medicine. It works through the human spirit and is a spiritual cure, but like any other medicine, it must be applied on a regular basis. You must speak God's word to your individual circumstances or situations-someone else can't do it for you."

"When God's words concerning healing takes root in your flesh, it becomes greater than the disease and healing is the result."

"Doctors may have told you there is no hope for you medically, but you can always find supernatural hope from God's word."

"If you're sick, you don't deny you are sick: yet, on the other hand, you don't want to always be confessing your sickness, for that will establish your present circumstance to you. Denying sickness won't make you well. But mixing faith with God's word, you are calling for the promise of God to be manifest in your body. This will cause you to be fully persuaded, and healing is the result."


I am thankful for the treatment I'm receiving at MDA but ultimately God gets all the credit. He gives the doctors the wisdom they need to take care of me and he also chooses the outcome. Not only has God been physically healing me, but he has certainly healed me spiritually. I've never felt this close to God and I'm enjoying building a relationship with him. Spending time in his word each day has brought me peace.

Thanks to the doctors

Today I thought I'd explain why I chose to go to MDA for treatment. It all boils down to feeling comfortable and having complete confidence with the care you are receiving. Even if someone in your family or a close friend doesn't have faith in your doctor it can put doubts in your mind. It's best if everyone is in agreement on which doctor you should see. This way you know you've done everything you possibly can to fight the cancer.

When I first had prostate cancer I actually trusted my doctor in Beaumont but the reason I choose MDA was they had the equipment necessary to preform the DaVinci Surgery. The doctor in Beaumont was only able to cut the cancer out by hand while MDA could do it robotically which has a faster recovery time. Actually, MDA has an entire department dedicated to the DaVinci and a separate department dedicated to doctors who still perform the surgery by hand. MDA provided options. Also, because I was an existing MDA patient they were able to quickly get me in to see a surgeon when my cancer returned.

One of the things that I appreciate about MDA is they are so specialized. My oncologist ONLY treats people who have stomach/esophagus cancer. Their doctors focus on one type of cancer and become experts. Even the doctor who is putting the power port in my chest specializes in power ports. MDA even has an experimental drug department that is highly sought after. People from all over the world fly to MDA for treatment and I'm blessed to live 1.5 hours away. I find it comforting that the doctors treating me know their fields so well.

Overall, you have to feel comfortable with the doctor you are seeing and trust them. I'm not saying one doctor is better than another but just feel strongly that you need to have confidence in the treatment you are receiving. With that being said, I know that God is my true healer. I thank MDA for their expertise and the treatment that I'm receiving, but God is the ultimate healer and the one who determines my fate.

"My son, pay attention to what I say;listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight,keep them within your heart;for they are life to those who find the and health to a man's whole body." Proverbs 4:20-22

Treat Your Body Like a Temple

This round of chemo affected me a little more than usual. My sugar level was crazy and I was nausea/sick all weekend. Finally, last night I started feeling a bit better.

Over the past few weeks I've been thinking about what caused my cancer and how I could change my lifestyle to prevent bringing it back. Unfortunately, stomach cancer isn't like other cancers. If you smoke and get lung cancer you know to stop smoking, but it's not that black and white with stomach cancer. I asked the doctor what she thought contributed to my cancer and she feels there's a good chance it's the environment I've worked in for so many years. I do know that when I return to work I'll change a few things and protect my body when going into the field. I'll make sure I wear proper equipment at all times to protect my body from chemicals.

I've also been concerned about the food I put into my body. For example, I use to be a huge Diet Coke drinking, but I'm hesitant to drink it again for fear that may have contributed to my condition. I've always eaten relatively healthy because of my diabetes but never worried about where the food came from or how the food was processed. My goal is to speak with the nutritionist at MDA and to also read books and become more educated on foods I should and shouldn't eat. Hopefully this will put my mind at ease as I get back to normal.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Take That Cancer!

Yesterday I had an appointment with my oncologist which means you either see her or one of her two assistants. This week I requested to speak directly to her because one of her assistants said something last time that has been bothering me. I asked the assistant if there was a chance that I could go into remission? Would I ever get to stop chemo? The assistant told me that I could maybe stop chemo for a couple of weeks for a holiday or something but that was about it. Since then I've been worried that for the rest of my life I'd have one good week and one bad week.

So, yesterday while waiting for the doctor I was complaining to my friend. I was concerned that I would never be able to go into remission and overall anxious to talk to the doctor. I then opened up my daily prayer book and this is what it said:

"Father, I love you, and I lay my life before you. Take me and use me for your glory and your purposes. Forgive me when I complain and do not see all the wonderful things you do for me, things I take for granted like being able to wake up today and see the beginning of another day. Give me strength to worship you, encourage your people, and speak your name to a lost world.Amen."

A few days ago I told you about my prayer book and how it always relates to my life. Again, the book baffled me and put me in my place. I immediately stopped complaining!

My conversation with the doctor went great! She said a few things...
1. It is a fact that my lymph nodes and tumor have shrunk in half. She plans on shrinking them to where you can't visually see them in a scan. Once this happens I'd be in remission. She said it could be months or even years (hopefully never) before the tumor returned.
2. My blood work is good. On one hand my blood work is great because I can continue chemo. Most of the time people who have received the amount of chemo that I have must take a break. Their blood work shows poor nutrition levels and overall their body is worn out. At the same time, my blood work has never shown that I have cancer. Blood work is not an absolute way to test for cancer. Sometimes the cancer does not show up. So, they can't do a blood test to see if my cancer is returning. They'll have to do a body scan.
3. I've gained weight and she's happy that I've kept my nutrition levels up. Both chemo and cancer stifle your appetite. If I'm able to eat that means my body is tolerating the chemo and the cancer is loosing the battle. Having an appetite is a great sign.
4. On February 3rd they are going to put a power port in my chest. The port lays under the skin and can stay in for years. When anyone needs to access the port they just stick a needle through the skin. This means I get to take my PICC out! Unlike the PICC, the port doesn't need cleaned and I can return to a more active life style. With the PICC I wasn't allowed to sweat, it needed weekly cleanings, I couldn't get it wet, I couldn't work out or work. With the power port I'll be able to begin working out again and hopefully return to work soon there after. The reason they didn't put the port in my chest to begin with is she wanted to see if the chemo was going to work. She didn't want to put me through a minor surgery if it wasn't necessary.

Don't Waste Your Life

My daughter was telling me the story of a young lady who is probably not even 30 yet. She is married with 2 small children and recently found out she has stage four cancer. After chemo, radiation, surgery, and experimental drugs MDA has told her there is nothing else they can do. They gave her 2 months to live. We don't know this girl personally but it's heartbreaking. Young moms, dads and children are being diagnosed with cancer every day and not always receiving good news.

For some reason, my prognosis is going in the opposite direction. The chemo is working and it appears that God may spare me. God has a plan for me on Earth and I plan to live my life for him every day. I won't sit around and waste it. If you are able to wake up each morning, then God has a plan for you too. God gives us all gifts or talents that he plans for us to use to bring him glory. I challenge you to use your gifts and live for him each day.

"Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare." Psalms 40:5

Getting Your Problems Off Your Mind

I've always been an active person and usually don't spend much time sitting around. While undergoing treatment I've had to spend A LOT of time at home. While my mom was still around I'd go to her house every day and hang out with the family. My daughter and grandson also spent a great deal of time in Beaumont over the past few months. After the holidays my siblings returned to work since we were no longer looking after my mother and my daughter had to return to her life as well. Without these daily distractions my life has been pretty boring. I've been spending more time alone than I ever have. This week my friend and his father came by the house and picked me up to go on a drive. It was so nice to get out of the house and visit with someone. It was a great distraction from my mundane, daily schedule. Time away was good for my mind, body and soul. If you know someone who is spending a lot of time alone feel free to give them a call. There's a good chance they'd like a distraction from their life too.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

An Anxious Look About You

I'm feeling pretty good today except tonight I've been having pain in my stomach. That's a good sign though because the doctor says that's the chemo fighting the cancer. Other than that things are pretty normal.

I've been thinking about the waiting room at MDA where you get your blood work done and have made some observations.

You can categorize the people into 3 groups:

1. Just diagnosed with cancer for the first time. Waiting for the blood work to see how bad it is.
2. Waiting to find out if they have cancer again.
3. Currently in chemo waiting on routine blood work.

While sitting in the waiting room your eyes automatically scan and notice the bald people with PICCS in their arms. There are all different types of cancers and stages of cancer being represented. Some people are moving well while others are in wheel chairs. Then, you notice the other people in the room who look healthy. They still have hair, but they have a certain look about them. Those who have had cancer before are contemplating, look worried and frightened. They know what to expect and are thinking about their past experience and worried about their future. Then, you notice the people who look completely frightened, almost panicked. Their eyes are wandering around the room and fixate on the sick people. On several occasions I've had people eye balling me. They look me up and down, stare at my bald head, and focus in on my arm. Never do they look away, but I don't take offense. They are in their own world worried about their future. You can almost read their thoughts. "Is that what I'm going to look like?" and "Am I going to loose my hair?" and "Will I have that thing in my arm?" It's weird because in my experience nobody ever talks about their diagnosis. No one asks questions or compares stories. Sometimes I feel like I should stand up and ask, "Who here is waiting to be diagnosed? OK, let's go talk and leave here feeling OK about our situations." I really hope that each of these people have the same support as me. The prayers, emails and phone calls have helped get me through this experience. Lastly, I hope they have a relationship with God because without his strength beating this disease is near impossible.

"Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10